23rd March 2026
Major General S.J. Kariyakarawana RWP RSP USP was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 23 March 2026, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a distinguished military career spanning over 33 years.
Brief Profile of the Retiring Senior Officer:
Major General S.J. Kariyakarawana RWP RSP USP enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet of Intake PMA–05 on 27 July 1992. Upon successful completion of military training at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) and the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 15 April 1993. After being steadily elevated to subsequent ranks during his service in the Army, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 31 October 2025.
The Senior Officer will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 26 March 2026 on reaching 55 years of age. At the time of his retirement, he holds the appointment of Deputy General Officer Commanding, 57 Infantry Division.
Throughout his illustrious military career, the Senior Officer has held numerous key appointments. He has served as Platoon Commander of the 7 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Intelligence Officer of the 7 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Instructor at the Recruit Training School, Adjutant of the 7 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, General Staff Officer 3 (Operations) of the Headquarters – 542 Infantry Brigade, Staff Officer 3 (Additional) of the Directorate of Personnel Administration at Army Headquarters, Officer Commanding of the 5 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Officiating Second-in-Command of the 5 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Officiating Second-in-Command of the 11 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Officiating Commanding Officer of the 14 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, General Staff Officer 2 of the Headquarters – 22 Infantry Division, Second-in-Command of the 1 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Officer Commanding of the 10th Battalion, United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Haiti, Second-in-Command of the 4 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and Commanding Officer of the 6 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment.
In addition, he has served as General Staff Officer 1 (Coordinating) of the Security Force Headquarters (West), General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of the Security Force Headquarters (West), General Staff Officer 1 (Coordinating) of the Headquarters – 57 Infantry Division, General Staff Officer 1 (Coordinating) of the Security Force Headquarters (Kilinochchi), General Staff Officer 1 of the Directorate of Psychological Operations at Army Headquarters, Colonel (Administration and Quartering) of the Headquarters – 12 Infantry Division, Colonel (General Staff) of the Headquarters – 58 Infantry Division, Officiating Commander of the 222 Infantry Brigade, Commander of the 551 Infantry Brigade, Director of the Directorate of Army Band and Performing Arts at Army Headquarters, Director of the Directorate of Infantry at Army Headquarters, Brigadier (General Staff) of the Headquarters – 1 Corps and Deputy General Officer Commanding of the Headquarters – 57 Infantry Division.
In recognition of his dedicated and exemplary service, he was awarded the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP – awarded twice) and Utthama Seva Padakkama (USP).
The Senior Officer has successfully completed several professional military courses, including the Young Officers Course, Basic Marksmanship Course, Unit Intelligence Officers Course, Contingency Pre-deployment Training Course, United Nations Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course, Battalion Support Weapons Officers Course, Potential Unit Commanders Course and Unit Accounts Officers Course.
He has also attended several overseas courses, including the Young Officers’ Tactical Course – Pakistan, Junior Command Course – India, Regimental Signal Officers Course – India, Basic Airborne Course – Pakistan and Senior Command Course – India.
In addition to his military qualifications, the Senior Officer has obtained a Master’s degree in Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Colombo, a Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs from the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute and a Diploma in Senior Level Defence Management from Devi Ahilya University, India.
